EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESOURCES

Tornado Cleanup and Response

Resources for Responders

NIOSH offers informational resources for minimizing risks of work-related injury or illness from recovery activities, including disaster site management, electrical hazards, stress and fatigue, and other issues.

Tornado cleanup activities can be hazardous. Emergency-response directors and supervisors should be aware of the potential dangers involved, and should establish and enforce proper safety programs. Injuries and illnesses in the line of duty are preventable. Workers and volunteers involved with tornado cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved, and the proper safety precautions. Work-related hazards that could be encountered include: electrical hazards, carbon monoxide exposures, musculoskeletal hazards, heat stress, motor vehicle and large machinery accidents, hazardous materials, fire, confined spaces and falls. Links to information about hazards associated with tornadoes and other natural disaster cleanup can be found below. This information is intended to help employers and workers prepare in advance for anticipated response activities, and to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses in the field once rescue, recovery, and clean-up begin.

These interim forms were developed by NIOSH as survey tools for occupational safety and health purposes in the response to Hurricane Katrina but may be applicable for other responses. The interim forms are posted here to provide information to occupational safety and health professionals who are interested in NIOSH efforts to prevent injuries and illnesses among hospital, shelter, and health department employees involved in a disaster response, and who may be looking for tools to ensure health and safety in their own operations.

The interim forms are key to critical information for assessing the potential occupational safety and health impacts of disaster response on health care, health department, and shelter employees. The interim forms are being used by NIOSH and its colleagues in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to assess occupational safety and health status and needs for employees in those facilities.

NIOSH Indoor Environmental Quality Topic Page
“Indoor Environmental Quality,” as the name implies, simply refers to the quality of the air in an office or other building environments. Workers are often concerned that they have symptoms or health conditions from exposures to contaminants in the buildings where they work.

Preventing Electrocutions Associated with Portable Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits
When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source such as a portable generator. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.

Cleanup Hazards

CDC Tornados – Health and Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resource for Tornado recovery and preparedness. Includes key facts, food and water safety, Mental Health, Electrical Hazards and more…

NIOSH Confined Spaces Topic Page
“Confined Space” refers to a space which by design has limited openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation which could contain or produce dangerous air contaminants, and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy.

NIOSH Interim Guidance: Working Safely in Confined Spaces
This document provides NIOSH interim guidelines regarding work in confined spaces in response to a hurricane. Flooding and hazardous materials spills or releases may create dangerous confined spaces in basements and enclosed rooms. Similarly, building damage and collapses may create confined space hazards by restricting entry and exit and exposing workers to physical or environmental hazards.

Disaster Site Management

NIOSH Emergency Response Disaster Site Management Page
Provides links to general information on Disaster Site Management such as work plan essentials, site safety and team leader checklists. Also includes links to information on potential hazards (e.g. Silica, Asbestos, Carbon Monoxide, Electrocution, Falls, Confined Spaces, and Chemical, Structural, and Mechanical Hazards) and recommendations.

OSHA Electrical Topic PageExternal
Addresses such questions as: What OSHA standards apply? What information is available for the construction industry? What information is available about silica and its health effects? How are silica exposures evaluated in the workplace? What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards? And What additional information is available?

Falls

Falls from Elevations Topic Page
Falls from elevation hazards are present at most every jobsite, and many workers are exposed to these hazards daily. Any walking/working surface could be a potential fall hazard.

NIOSH Emergency Response Chemical Hazards Page
Chemical agent information is needed for workers to appropriately plan for risks resulting from possible chemical incidents. Several organizations have developed information databases, including short-term and long-term criteria, each with specific purposes, exposure scenarios, and severity of adverse health effects considered in their development.

NIOSH Heat Stress Topic Page
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. This topic page explains the types of heat stress and the effects each has on workers and provides recommendations for employers and for workers on how to prevent heat stress.

NIOSH Emergency Response Personal Protective Equipment Page
Personal protective equipment is very important for any emergency responder. There are five main types of PPE that are covered on this page: respirators and protective clothing (selection, proper use, etc.), skin exposures and eye and hearing protection.

Interactive Online Course for Psychological First Aid TrainingExternal
This 6-hour interactive course puts the participant in the role of a provider in a post-disaster setting. This professionally-narrated course is for individuals new to disaster response and who want to learn the core action of PFA, as well as for seasoned practitioners who want a review. This project was funded by SAMHSA, NCPTSD, NACCHO, and HHS Office of the Surgeon General, Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps.

Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree Trimming
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 92-106
Many tree trimmers and their employers may lack training and knowledge of OSHA standards and/or may be unaware of the risk posed by inadequate or improper safety procedures and equipment. This Alert describes eight incidents involving five electrocutions and three fatal falls of tree trimmers.

West Nile Virus

NIOSH West Nile Virus Topic Page
Provides detailed information and FAQs about West Nile Virus and the potential occupational hazards and risks of WNV exposure and infection.